The United States versus Ulysses by Colin Murphy

Directed by Conall Morrison.

With original music by Si Schroeder.

The true story of one of the greatest literary trials of the twentieth century, pitting James Joyce's novel against the might of the United States government.

Based on the case files, and haunted by the voices of Ulysses, this dramatisation tells the story of the decade-long battle to publish Ulysses in America, culminating in the legendary Woolsey Judgement of 1933.

Please note that the play contains explicit language from the start.

Cast & Production Credits

Killian Scott (Sam Coleman & Bennett Cerf)

Janet Moran (Molly Bloom)

Jonathan White (The Voice of Time & Leopold Bloom)

Stephen Hogan (Morris Ernst)

Morgan C. Jones (Judge John Munro Woolsey)

Helen Norton (The Voice of Ulysses)

Additional roles were played by the company.

Special thanks to RTE journalist Declan Dunne, author of Set at Random – The Book That Wouldn’t Lie Down, and to Des Gunning and Jim Keeley.

A previous version of the play was commissioned by the James Joyce Centre and presented online by AboutFace Theatre Company.

Sound Design & Sound Supervision: Gar Duffy & Damian Chennells

Producer: Kevin Brew.

Series Producer, RTÉ Drama On One: Kevin Reynolds.

First TX 13 June 2021

Duration 53 minutes

The play was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the television licence fee.

Read Colin Murphy's blog here - Writer Colin Murphy describes the many streams of consciousness that inspired a Joycean court room drama.